HC Deb 18 July 1961 vol 644 c107W
23 and 24. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science (1) if he will now estimate the number of science graduates who have left the United Kingdom during the last five years to engage in research activities in the Commonwealth;

(2) if he will now estimate the number of science graduates who have left the United Kingdom during the last five years to engage in research activities in foreign countries.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

Records of the migration of scientists are available only by certain long sea routes. The total number of scientists who have left the United Kingdom over the five years 1956 to 1960 is estimated at 4,500 including students from overseas returning home after training. It is not possible to distinguish those travelling to the Commonwealth, nor those who propose to engage in research activities, from others.

Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will estimate the number of overseas science graduates who have entered the United Kingdom to engage in research activities.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

It is estimated that the total numbers of qualified scientists who have entered the United Kingdom in the years 1956–1960, inclusive, were about 200, 225, 475, 600 and 500 respectively. The corresponding numbers of technologists were about 400, 400, 750, 825 and 675. It is not possible to state how many were United Kingdom nationals returning from overseas nor what the intentions of immigrants were as regards employment.

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